Biographical Information
Harry Matti Hukkinen was born in Finland, emigrating to the United States at an early age. His first work utilized Polaroid photo transfer techniques in combination with new pigmented ink jet printing technology, and was exhibited in numerous national/international juried art shows, receiving several awards. He has a BA from Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ and an MFA from the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA. In 2011, Harry travelled to Dubai for the opening of the 29th Annual Exhibition of the Emirates Fine Arts Society, Sharjah, UAE, where his Styrofoam Series photography was on display. He is a multimedia artist: sculpture, painting, photography, and performance art. Harry’s work is found in private collections worldwide.
Artist Statement
My work reflects my physical and spiritual relationship with the world. I exist in the socially engineered reality that stands in opposition to my personal convictions. By questioning the beliefs of myself and others, and confronting societal issues, I hope to embrace holistic thinking. I see art as a universal language with the inherent power to transcend cultural barriers, a vehicle of heart to heart and mind to mind communication. Freedom is an essential component for the creation of successful and meaningful artwork, and those artworks are imperative to the development of healthy societies. Having had my work displayed among other international artists continues to inspire me to view my art community globally. The warmth and welcome with which I am treated by artists around the world has been so different than any other I had previously experienced and it has opened my eyes to a new way of seeing and thinking.